PR & words

If you’re a regular reader of my blog you’ll know that I haven’t posted in about a month. In the blogging world a month is kinda a long time. I’ve been meaning to write this for over a week now but I keep getting distracted by Teen Mom 2, pancakes and the joy of going to bed before 9pm with a hot water bottle.

But I’ve got an hour or two before Broadchurch so I thought I’d update you all on my blog and me. I’ve probably set this up as a negative post but it’s completely the opposite. I’m not 100% sure why I haven’t blogged in a while, there’s been no conscious decision on my part to take a break, I guess it just happened naturally on the back of me landing my dream job and completely investing all my time and energy into that. But it’s been two weeks now and I can’t use the excuse of me being mentally exhausted anymore.

I thought it might be beneficial for me, as ironic as this sounds, to blog about why I haven’t blogged in a while. Perhaps you and I will both discover why as I unfurl my thoughts down on paper.

So this post is a day late and I didn’t post on Tuesday or Thursday but I have been SUPER busy over the last few days. I realise now that I was probably a wee bit over ambitious early this year when I promised 3-4 posts a week. It’s just not very doable alongside working full time and training for a half marathon. I’m going to try and maintain it is a much as I can but I want my blog to be my hobby again and nothing something I view as a chore! I’ve slacked with both my blog and running this week but I’ve had a really exciting week professionally and I just wanted to celebrate in front of Scandal. My highs this week could be those of a teen going to back to school for a new term, but y’all know how I feel about Paperchase.

Love Tanya
Tanya Burr is a beauty and lifestyle blogger/vlogger I’ve only recently started following. I really enjoy her vlogs and getting an insight into her super glamorous life, I’ve learnt lots of makeup tips from her and I think she’s the kind of girl I’d get on well with in real life. Her book is semi-autobiography, semi-beauty guide and packed full of blogging and style tips. It’s actually a really beautiful looking book and it’s a keepsake I’m sure I’ll enjoy for a long time.

Spring Make-up
I hate the colour pink. I never wear anything pink and nothing in my home is pink. The one time I do like pink is when it comes make-up. (Oh an pencil cases it seems) I got a bit over-excited yesterday when the sun was out and bought some springy makeup. The blush is L’oreal and works perfectly on my olive skin and the Bourjois Color Boost Lipstick has got me all excited for picnics in the park.

Serial Podcast
OMG I am obsessed. I can’t believe I didn’t start this earlier. My boyfriend recommended it to me and I’ve seen a few friends raving about in on social media. It’s perfect for my commute and constantly keeps me on the edge of my train seat. Download immediately.

Paperchase Haul
After receiving some super exciting professional news last week I decided to treat myself to some Paperchase goodies. I love their notepads and diaries and their valentines range is particularly beautiful this year. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into new challenges with my new bits. I’m 13 all over again.

Late last year I shared what’s in my beauty collection with you and ya’ll seemed to enjoy it. Us girls just love exploring another girl’s beauty stash don’t we?

I always really enjoy reading/watching blogs/vlogs which invite you to snoop into a beauty box so I thought I’d share what’s in my every day beauty bag with you. My every day beauty bag contains all the essentials I need in my handbag. Whether I need to freshen up, add a bit of colour for after work drinks or cover up when I discover another spot has formed on my chin half way through my working day.

I like to keep my everyday essentials as minimal as possible. I don’t like to re-apply masacara or foundation, I’d rather take it all off and start over and that would require travelling around with a small suitcase.

Instead I just carry around my trusty essentials. I apply lip balm 80 times a day so there’s always a few lip balms rolling around, I travel into London via tube and often feel in need of a full body chemical peel to rid myself off dirt after commuting. Obviously I don’t and instead just apply hand sanatizer lots throughout the day. I go through one a month and like scented ones like this from the Body Shop or my current favourite from Soap & Glory. I find the normal ones too chemically/vodka smelling. I do find that my hands dry out more than usual because of how much hand sanitizer I use so I always have a hand moisture in my beauty bag too. Clarins is a firm favourite of mine but I also love Crabtree & Evelyn and The Body Shop for hand creams.

The other non makeup product is my Simple Eye Roll-On which I often use at 4pm alongside a can of Diet Coke when I’m starting to flag. After staring at computer screen for the majority of the day I often need to refresh my eyes and this product does just that.

There’s a wee bit of luxury in the form of my brown eyeliner which often doesn’t budge throughout the day but I like to re-add a bit if I’m off on the razzle and a bold lip which I often apply after a glass or two. All my bits and bobs are incased in my favourite Oliver Bonas Alpahebet bag which can fit loads, including my favourite handbag scent, Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt.

As you read this I’ll be relaxing in a spa with my mum, oh Sundays. I’m in Center Parcs for the weekend with my family celebrating my Dad’s 60th birthday. I’m sure it will feature heavily in next week’s Highs of The Week.

This week I’ve had some super exciting professional news which I’ll share with you all soon. I’m also really enjoying blogging on maryoliviahickey.com and I’ve got some blogs coming up on Metro Online too so my creative side is very happy at the moment. I’ve have been flagging a little with my exercise and healthy eating schedule this week but nobody’s perfect ey? Alongside copious amounts of Milkway Buttons and immersing myself in the world of Silent Witness (Forensic Scientist is another dream job of mine) here’s what I else I’ve been loving this week:

Since finding this recipe at the start of 2015 I’ve made these Gluten Free Scotch Pancakes every Sunday without fail. Joe thinks they are ‘delicious’ and can’t quite believe what a pancake expert I am. They are the perfect treat after my long run on a Sunday morning and they aren’t too bad in terms of calorie intake. In fact, they hardly contain any sugar just two teaspoons!

I use the Doves Farm recipe for my pancakes but there are lots of alternatives out there. I like this gluten free option as you hardly need any ingredients and they are super quick to make.

I like to use a handheld electronic whisk to ensure the pancake mixture is lump free and use a mini crepe frying pan to get perfectly sized Scotch pancakes.

So quick and easy to make and very delicious. I add Nutella and banana to mine, but you can add whatever you choose!

When it comes to my blog the most common question I get asked is: ‘How do I start my own?’

It’s always so lovely to hear positive comments about my blog, whether that be through conversations face-to-face with friends or through online conversations with strangers. On NYE a good friend of mine pulled out her own Oliver Bonas Alphabet Make Up Bag, that she bought after seeing my own on my blog. Complete strangers have bought my favourite makeup goodies after reading about how much I love them and most importantly I’ve been told how people have related to me, particularly when I’ve wrote one of those deeper pieces… y’all know the ones!

But as a PT amateur blogger what always makes me smile the most and feel all fuzzy inside is when a friend of mine tells me that they want to start their own blog. I’m not sure whether it’s really me thats behind this influence, but just knowing someone wants to try something new that for me, brings so much pleasure, is wonderful.

I’m lucky to have incredible friends from every different background you could imagine. Amongst my friends I’ve got yummy mummies, teachers, fashion experts, beauty experts, nurses and lots of people who’s lives are so interesting I think they’d give the Kardashians a run for their money.

I think every single friend of mine would make a fantastic blogger and have so much to write about. But yes, blogging is scary and taking that first leap into the online world is terrifying. You’re putting your life out there to be judged by all and you’ve just gotta go with it.